Hi all,
As soon as I saw the Documentary about Jassi Sidhu, I wrote and email to the Provincial MLA and the Premier of BC about this case. Below are the responses of John Les, Randy Kamp, as well as that of the attorney general of BC, Wally Oppal.
Gurpreet Bajwa
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To: Kamp, Randy - M.P.
Subject: Jassi Sidhus Murder Case
Respected Hon. KamP Randy,
I am writing this e mail to express my utter displeasure at the way Jassi Sidhu (who was a resident of your constituency)was murdered and the handling of her case on the part of the RCMP.
Firstly, the RCMP bungled up the Air India Case and now they are not even willing to pursue a Canadian-born citizen's murder..that appalls me. My spouse and I have experienced similar circumstances except that I am alive. I shudder to think that if the same thing would have happened to us, the Canadian justice system would have surely failed us.
India which is suppose to be corrupt and slow in imparting justice has already finished the trial and sentenced the accused, with the exception of Jassi's uncle and mother, who are the co conspirators and are roaming freely with the tag of well respected community leader because the RCMP has failed in its job.
Why is this so? Is the RCMP scared of Sikhs? Or is the RCMP also as corrupt as the Indian police force? Or is it that the life of a Canadian-born citizen who is of Indian origin is so cheap that no one bothers? And above all, is Canada more backward than India in terms of justice and corruption? Does this mean that the law has to be taken into ones own hand so that justice could be met by younger generations of today ? Is this the precise message that the Canadian justice system is sending to younger generations of today?
Most importantly, it gives me great solace to feel that a person can commit crime in Canada and anywhere in the world and then enjoy the freedom and benefits in Canada without being held accountable for. This is a veryserious situation and I would like to bring about your kind attention to this matter. As many youngsters are following this case of love and tragedy and derive ones own inferences of them.
Sir, it depends on honourable people like you to take action and take the younger generation away from the path of not obeying the laws of the land.
In your capacity as the Honourable Member of Parliament I would kindly request you to take up her matter and give all of us a sense of closure.
With Best Regards,
Gurpreet Bajwa
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Dear Gurpreet,
Thank you for your email. I appreciate the time you've taken to share your concerns about this important matter. Shortly after I was elected in 2004 I did raise this matter with the RCMP and the Minister of Justice. I've been assured that the investigation is proceeding and charges will be laid if they are warranted. I'll continue to monitor the situation.
Thanks again for your input.
Regards,
Randy Kamp, MP
Pitt Meadows - Maple Ridge - Mission
Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Fisheries and Oceans
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To: OfficeofthePremier, Office PREM:EX
Subject: Jassi sidhus Murder
Respected Premier,
I am writing this mail to express my utter displeasure at the BC Justice system. In all probability you must have heard about a Canadian girl being murdered in India by her relatives who are in Canada. These relatives are roaming freely and have the respected community leader tag in Maple Ridge, thanks to the Canadian justice system whereby the RCMP (who already bungled up the Air India Trial) is not even willing to look at the evidence in the form of 147 phone calls made by Jassi's realtives to her killers.
Is this justice? Does this imply that if any young person were to fall in love and get married against their parent's wishes shouldn't depend on the law enforcement agencies to safeguard their basic right to live freely and enjoy their love? Does this mean that the law has to be taken into one's own hands since the government has failed to protect the citizens? And above all, does this mean that the BC government doesn't believe in persons if Indian descent born in Canada should have the same rights as Canadians and that anyone can murder us?
Is this justice?
Gurpreet Bajwa
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Dear Gurpreet Bajwa:
Your February 7, 2006 e-mail addressed to the Honourable Gordon Campbell, Premier, regarding the murder of a Canadian citizen in India, has been referred to me for response.
As Solicitor General, I am responsible for superintending policing and law enforcement functions in British Columbia. However, police agencies operate at arm’s length from government, and I cannot interfere with or direct the police with respect to particular investigations.
I am advised that the RCMP has an active and ongoing investigation into Jassi Sidhu’s murder. Investigators have been to India several times and are in regular communication with the Indian police. As this is an ongoing police investigation, it is not appropriate for me to comment further.
I appreciate your taking the time to express your views.
Yours truly,
John Les
Solicitor General
pc: The Honourable Gordon Campbell
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Thank you for your e-mail regarding British Columbia’s legal system.
As you may be aware, the federal government has legislative authority over criminal law. As a result, the Criminal Code provisions are enacted by the federal—not the provincial—government.
I am sharing a copy of your correspondence with British Columbia’s Attorney General, the Honourable Wally Oppal, for his review. One of the Attorney General’s chief responsibilities is to formulate and advocate British Columbia’s positions on criminal justice matters to the federal government. I know that Minister Oppal, and his staff, will give your comments every consideration.
Again, thank you for writing, I appreciate you took the time to make me aware of your concerns.
pc: Honourable Wally Oppal
